Interview

The craziest question you have ever been asked at an interview is?

Posted on August 31, 2011 // Leave a Comment

Image by Jobs with Justice via Flickr

This post relates to an article written for JobMob entitiled Tricky Job Interview Questions and Answers. It’s the $5K Guest Blogging Contest . Go and take a look and then come back and read the rest of the post (it makes no sense otherwise )

Sarah, our esteemed editor suggested I write an article and enter in the annual competition at JobMob. I did a lot of surfing through their pages, reading other entries and thinking rather carefully about what I could blog about. However, after a couple of days I noticed that there was only space for another few entrants so, had to put procrastination aside, sit down and write something.

A lot’s been going on in my life recently, and writing has been on the back burner, even for my own HR blog. But putting pen to paper and getting head out of the clouds I decided on a slightly off the wall post on bizarre interview questions and how to answer them.

Now I am NOT suggesting that these questions are the norm nor that they are politically correct.

It was more about raising awareness about what potential employers are looking for and how not to be surprised if you have to think on your feet and answer some crazy questions.

[pullquote] How would you rate your life on a scale of 1 to 10? [/pullquote]

There are some employers out there that ignore HR advice and are oblivious to recriminations about fairness and equality. So they ask random questions that they consider to be ‘smart’ and creative.

Of course, if you are out at the pub and were to ask your close knit circle of friends to describe their desk to you, I am sure you would get some diverse answers. All revealing different characteristics [perhaps] about their working style. But to be friends with you, do they need to be neat, tidy and well organised?

Interviews are just part of a recruitment process, and asking questions is one way to understand whether or not someone has the ability, motivation and knowledge to do the role. Chucking in a random question to attempt to derail a candidate may be a way in checking their stress levels, ability to think on their feet and their assertiveness in throwing the question back to the interviewer.

There is after all no harm in responding with “Can you clarify your question as I am not sure what you are asking?”

If you are faced with a challenging question, another suggestion would be to process the response out loud so that the interviewer can see how you are resolving the issue.

I’m not saying I approve of tricky questions as after all, I would recommend using a psychometric assessment in addition to the interview process to support the evidence gathered and to ensure that the right candidate was appropriately hired. However, the article is written slightly tongue in cheek with a view to getting comments and raising awareness.

Meanwhile – do you remember the Silly Job Interview, Monty Python sketch?

Lynn

PS: If you want Lynn Tulip to win the $5K Guest Blogging Contest, share this article with your friends – thank you

Who is interviewing who? (assessment4potential.com)
Interview scenario preparation (assessment4potential.com)

Filed Under: Lynn Tulip, Popular // Tagged: Ask an Expert, Employment, Interview, Jacob Share, job, Job interview, jobmob, Recruitment

Interview with author Chevy Stevens

Posted on July 5, 2011 // 6 Comments

Chevy Stevens

Bestselling author Chevy Stevens very kindly agreed to be interviewed for Birds on the Blog. Angela has just read and reviewed Chevy’s new novel Never Knowing, and you can read her review here.

Could you tell us a little about yourself, please?
Well, I grew up on a ranch on Vancouver Island, where I still live. I spent most of my adult life in sales, but I always wanted to be a writer (there was also a brief stint where I wanted to be a lawyer but I got over that one). I’m married to a man who I knew in high school—we had lost but reconnected on Facebook decades later because of a Brad Pitt photo—a long story. I’m obsessed with popcorn, chocolate, and The Dog Whisperer.

What inspired you to become a writer?
I was always a daydreamer, hiding out in the woods reading my books, creating wonderful stories in my head. The first novel I remember writing involved a mouse, and that’s all I remember, which is probably a good thing. But life moved me in a different direction, as it tends to do, and I got off course. First I went to school to be an artist, and ended up leaving and working in sales for the next decade, until the idea for Still Missing came to me. Within six months I’d left real estate, sold my house, and was writing full-time.

Where do you get your ideas for your novels and characters, and where did you get your inspiration for Never Knowing?
The premise for Still Missing came to me when I was a Realtor hosting an open house in an empty home. I started wondering what would happen if I didn’t come home that night. Who would be the first to notice? That horrific thought led to others, like who would take me? What if I was gone for a long time? How could you recover from a nightmare like that?

Never Knowing was born from a conversation I had with my editor about what it would feel like if you were adopted to find out that your birth father was an infamous serial killer. I’d had a few other ideas floating in the back of my mind for awhile, which I was able to incorporate into this story. There was a brutal murder in Wells Gray Park many years go, and the image of all these lonely provincial parks and the terrible deeds that could take place in them, haunted me, so I also wanted to explore those feelings.
I don’t base my characters on anyone in my real life, but I do use my own emotions to inspire me, or certain personally traits that I’ve seen in people. I’m fascinated by dynamics, especially in families, so each character will represent a different role for me.

How did you research the characters and events in Never Knowing?
I spent a lot of time reading up on serial killers—so much so that I had to stop because I was giving myself nightmares—and talking with RCMP sources. It was also important that the reader understand how difficult John, Sara’s father, was to catch, so I charted cell coverage all over BC and researched remote areas that I’d never visited. I wanted to be respectful of people who are adopted, so I read many articles to better understand their emotions and what issues they might face.

The serial killer in Never Knowing occasionally shows a side to his character that in his own way is caring and protective towards his daughter and granddaughter; and we also learn how his troubled childhood is in part directly responsible for the killer he became. Did you feel uncomfortable or nervous about tackling a difficult subject such as this?
John just developed naturally as I began the book. I had a rough image of him in my mind, but then as I wrote I began to understand him more—what mattered to him, what created him. Most of all, why he wanted a family so much. I guess in some ways I also liked the contradiction, this man who had done such terrible things, wanting to connect with his daughter badly enough that he was willing to risk his freedom and his life for her.

What strategies do you use for finding the time to write and for keeping motivated and on track with your writing?
This is definitely a challenge when you are balancing marketing with writing. Lately, when I needed to reconnect with my book, I started writing daily pledges to my critique partner, the author Carla Buckley. Being accountable helped. But the other thing that I have to do when I really need to focus is disconnect my Internet. I need to be active a certain amount on my Facebook fan page, because I think it’s important to interact with my readers, plus I enjoy it, but it’s amazing how quickly you can get sucked into website after website.

Whilst reading Never Knowing I thought how the plot and characters would make a good film. Could there be plans for this in the future?
I sure hope so! There has been some interest and we are in discussions at the moment.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on Always Watching, which is about Nadine, the therapist from Never Knowing and Still Missing. After not speaking for two books, she finally gets to tell her story.

And finally, what advice would you give to aspiring writers who are yet to publish their first novel?
I’d say that if you want to be a writer, you have to really commit to the process. You have to be willing to take feedback, and learn how to evaluate feedback without losing your own voice. But most of all you have to be ready to put in the time. There were many months where I got up early to work on my book, and many weekends and evenings that were spent writing. There are no short cuts.

Thank you very much for answering these questions for us.
Thanks for having me!

Never Knowing is published today, 5th July, by St Martin’s Press and is available from Amazon

Filed Under: Angela Boothroyd, Latest // Tagged: Author, Chevy Stevens, Interview, Never Knowing, St. Martin's Press

How To Write Right To Your Customers’ Hearts

Posted on November 19, 2010 // 5 Comments

Probably the most important part of getting your writing right is to really know what makes your customers (or any other audience) tick. Customer analysis techniques are great for getting hard facts and data. But if you want to write so you touch their hearts, you need to back up the formal information with something a bit more emotional.

Very often what gives you the emotional, hit-it-right-on-the-nose tools you need for successful writing, is small nuances. All it takes is some little, subtle, even non-verbally communicated quirk picked up from members of a target audience and bingo – there’s your eureka moment and the key to a great copy or content message.

And to pick up on those nuances, you just can’t beat direct dialog.

Should you say who you really are?

There’s a lot to be said for using the “mystery shopper” approach, whether offline or online. Although arguably it’s dishonest to conceal your identity, the problem is people won’t always be honest with you if you tell them who you really are. Take rank-and-file employees in large organizations, for example. If they think you’re “management,” many will just tell you what they think you want to hear. Similarly if you look and behave like a researcher, consumers you talk to in shops or supermarkets will put up barriers.

You’re far more likely to get the true opinions from staffers if they think you’re the person who’s come in to fix the photocopier – or from shoppers if you’re pushing a loaded trolley and chat with them while waiting to go through the checkout.

Honesty is easier online

In the online environment it really isn’t right to infiltrate user groups, discussion lists, blogs etc posing as someone you’re not. Here, though, the invisibility of everyday online comms can help get you the results you want without lying.

I’ve often found that this very invisibility helps people say what they really think, because they don’t feel put on the spot in the same way as face-to-face and can retain some anonymity. (And because they know you can’t reach them with a baseball bat.) However because online dialogue doesn’t include much in the way of non-verbal communication, you need to be good at reading between the lines.

Gain confidence to get dialogue going

An important key to success, online and offline, is gaining people’s confidence and making them feel relaxed talking to you. The best bet is to get them to talk about themselves. And not their corporate or company or consumer selves, either, but the real self.

Try picking up on some relatively small and uncontroversial topic to get things going. Face-to-face, ask them about a golf trophy on their shelf, an interesting piece of (their) jewellery, their kids, dog, or in the absence of anything else, the weather. Online, pick up on a point they’ve made and ask them more about it.

There are very, very, few people in the industrialized world who will not warm to someone whom they believe is genuinely interested in them, their life, and their opinions. But be warned; if you’re only pretending to be interested in them, they’ll know. You have to be interested. Really. And if you are, you’ll get the results you want.

How to ask the right questions

Once you get the dialogue rolling, you need to employ some of the basic techniques used by good corporate/business TV interviewers (not journalists, as their interviews are usually adversarial – makes for more exciting TV, so they say.) And as I’ve done a good few thousand corporate/business TV interviews in my time, you might find my hard-earned tips helpful:

Although you’re not researching for the evening TV news bulletin, it’s still useful to base your questions on the news reporters’ list of “who, what, where, when, how and why.”

Never ask a question that can be answered with a “yes” or a “no,” because usually that’s where the answer will stop. You need more. But to press people to expand on a point when they haven’t volunteered it can make them feel cornered.

Phrase your questions so they invite a full and rounded answer. Ask for opinions. People love to give their opinions. EG not “which toilet tissue do you buy?” but “which toilet tissue do you think is the most effective, and why?”

Don’t be too personal, as sometimes that can seem aggressive and put your interviewee off. EG don’t say “why have you stopped buying Mario’s Pizzas?” but “why do you think people aren’t buying so many Mario’s Pizzas these days?”

When asking a question, ask one – don’t add thoughts unless they qualify the original question.

When you’ve asked a question, shut up. Let the person speak. Don’t interrupt or attempt to steer what they’re saying. If you’re in a live/real time online chat, allow plenty of time for a response to come back. Some people type very, very slowly.

If they falter or hesitate on an important point, don’t press them on it. Ask them something else. Then return to your original point later on, asking the question in a different way so they don’t realize it’s the same point.

Whatever you ask, always, always be polite. These people are doing you a big favour.

And when you’ve finished, thank them. They’ve helped you do your job better.

Like I said above, the greatest advantage of direct dialogue with your audience is you get to pick up on those all-important small nuances. Very likely those nuances will change, enrich, sharpen or otherwise develop and mature your feelings about the project.

Trust and value those feelings, because usually they’re what enable you to write a brilliant, successful piece of copy or content – not the hard facts.

Suze

(An earlier version of this article first appeared on the US website, MarketingProfs.com.)

Filed Under: Latest, Popular, Suzan St Maur // Tagged: Business, Communication, Humor, Interview, journalist, Nonverbal communication, Recreation, Television

Those competency questions **!!??

Posted on October 18, 2010 // 8 Comments

Interviews are all about getting answers. Interviewers, whether it’s one person or a panel are not out to trick you but want you to respond in a way which shows them how you could transfer your skills and attributes, knowledge and experience into the role you are applying for.

This means they want EXAMPLES of :

what you have done
how you did it and/or
what was your actual involvement
when it happened
what was the outcome

I’ve mentioned previously about STAR interviews, so any practise you can get with answering questions demonstrating you competence will be a good practice for the real interview.

There’s two ways of rehearsing – the first is of course – get someone to ask you the questions and answer as much as you can. Ask them, whenever you pause or hesitate, to prompt you with “and then?” to make you give more detail. Keep thinking “what else” did you do, were the results, was the impact, etc. Make notes of any facts and figures which might be useful – the mere point of writing them down will mean that you will remember them again.

The second way is to stand in front of a mirror and talk to yourself. Of course you are answering questions and you will want to hear the answers, again and again. Bur more importantly look carefully. Where and how are you standing or sitting? Are you relaxed? Are your eyes looking ahead? What about your arms – do you use them to reinforce your words? Body language is very important at a high level. You need to appear assertive, confident and friendly. The mirror is also a good way of checking what you might wear and how you will physically look. When you are seated are your clothes appropriate?

Below is a list of questions for a senior analyst position in finance and accounting.

The attention to detail is vital for success in this job. Tell us about a time when you noticed an error before anyone else. For example when preparing monthly revenue and profit analysis and so forth.
As a Sr Analyst in Finance and Accounting, you will be working in a fast-paced office. Tell us about a situation where you had to work to meet multiple deadlines.
Describe your experience preparing and/or reviewing account distribution assignment and approving hierarchy controls on vendor invoices.
Tell us about your experience with establishing, maintaining and communicating financial performance metrics for assigned projects.
Tell us about the profit improvement plans that you have had to develop.
In your career as a senior Analyst in Finance and Accounting, describe your experience with identifying and making recommendations for enhancements to the business issues and process challenges for the organisation or industry.
Communication is a key to success in this job. When have you needed to explain financial data to a non-financial audience?

I’ve written a generic list of competency questions that you can download from here.

It’s important to remember that if you get a closed question asked of you, you are best to answer with a strong response and launch into a competency example of when you have performed.

What other questions have you been asked?

Lynn
http://assessment4potential.tel/

Filed Under: Latest, Lynn Tulip, Popular // Tagged: Ask an Expert, Business, competency, Computers and Technology, Employment, Finance, Interview, Question, Recruitment and Staffing

Tips on inviting candidates

Posted on September 14, 2010 // 1 Comment

After short-listing candidates, invite the best qualified for interview. Send a formal invitation letter by post or email and then confirm with a phone call to make sure that they have received the invitation letter.

What to include:

Image via Wikipedia

A thank you to the candidate for their application
When, where and how long the interview will be
The objective of the interview
Deadline and contact person for confirmation
How to get there – provide a map if necessary – and whether you will pay travel expenses
What documents the candidate should bring, eg: certificates, proof of eligibility to work, references
Who the candidate should ask for on arrival
The names and job titles of the people conducting the interview
If there will be any additional assessment or tests to take, or a presentation and if so, its type and duration. Information for preparation should be included as well.
Additional information about the company, role and requirements
Ask candidates to tell you if they have any special needs that you will need to cater for

Make sure that all candidates have the same opportunity to prepare for the interview and that your panel of interviewers are equally well prepared.

Lynn
http://assessment4potential.tel/

Filed Under: Latest, Lynn Tulip, Popular, Small Business // Tagged: Ask an Expert, Business, Employment, Human resources, Interview, Interview Advice, Job Search, Question

Job Interview questions (and how to answer them)

Posted on February 15, 2010 // 4 Comments

Prepare for questions you might be asked. Preparation is the key to your success here

Continuing the interview theme, the following is a list of questions you may be asked at an interview. Some suggestions are given which you can to use to prepare your own answer.

Thorough preparation will give you the confidence to do your best at an interview and win you your dream job.

1. Why do you want to work here?

Mention:

Good reputation of the firm

Any other positive information you have about the firm, e.g. their training record

It will give you a chance to do work which interests you

2. Why did you leave your last job?

Explaining briefly and honestly the reasons why your last job ended.

If there is anything positive to say, say it, e.g.: If you left for health reasons point out that you are now fit and reassure the employer that you can do the duties required, or, if you were dismissed, that you take responsibility for your actions and have learnt from the experience.

3. Have you done this kind of work before?
Yes – tell them the skills you have and how you can use them.
No – quickly describe other work experience which will help you learn the job quickly. Emphasise your interest and enthusiasm to learn.

4. What did you do in your last job?

Describe:

skills and duties relevant to new job

machines/equipment used

your responsibilities

people you dealt with

how long you were there

if you were promoted

5. What kinds of equipment can you operate?

Name any type of equipment relevant to the new job

Your training/qualifications

Length of time you have operated this equipment

6. How long have you been out of work – how do you spend your time?

Describe:

jobsearch activity

voluntary work

further education or study

hobbies

Show you have been doing something or it will be assumed you have just sat on the sofa!

7. Why have you had a) so many jobs? b) only one job?

Mention:
a) so many jobs?

You wanted to widen your experience in different types of work/firms.

Many of the jobs were temporary.

You would rather be in work than out of work.

b) only one job?

You had several different jobs within your last employment.

The opportunity to develop.

Their good record in training and development.

8. Why should I take you on?
Be ready for this question and answer confidently and positively

Describe your skills and experience and how they relate to this job

Reassure the employer that you are hard-working, reliable and capable

9. Aren’t you over-qualified?

Emphasise:
You are looking for something fresh/new/different
You can take as well as give instructions

10. How do you get on with people?
Describe how you have previously worked as part of a team
Mention your ability to get on with people at all levels

Give examples
11. What makes a good team member?

Describe the skills required e.g.:

good communication

flexibility

adaptability

co-operation

sense of humour

12. How do you cope with pressure?

Describe the pressures in previous jobs using a recent example, e.g. how you coped with a changed deadline, completed a rush order or dealt with staff shortages.

13. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

They should already know your strengths from your Application Form/CV or they would not be interviewing you, but if they ask about any weaknesses:
Start by describing parts of your last job that you found testing but explain how you overcame these problems
Be fairly brief but honest, e.g. “I can sometimes be a little too enthusiastic”.
Note: Employers value people who can admit their mistakes rather than blaming their failings on others.

14. What would you like to be doing in five years time?

Explain that you would ideally like to be working for the same company but to have developed within it.

15. How often were you absent from your last job?
If rarely – say so
If absence has been a problem – explain why

16. When would you be available to start?

As soon as possible! Do not put any barriers in the way.

17. Do you have any questions?

You may like to prepare for this – it is almost always asked at the interview. You could ask:

why is the job vacant?

why did the last person leave?

who would I report to?

what training will I do, if any?

what would my first job be?

how soon will I hear about the result of my application?

how would I be paid?

Good luck!

Filed Under: Lynn Tulip // Tagged: Business, Company, Education, Employment, Interview, jobsearch, Skill

How to get the job you want – Job Interview tips

Posted on February 5, 2010 // 5 Comments

Getting invited to an interview means you’ve passed the first hurdle – your application must have made a good impression.

Now you need to prepare yourself for the interview to make the most of the opportunity.

Plan for the interview

Get information…

Find out about the employer and the job – you could ask the employer if they have an information pack or speak to people you know who work or have worked for the company. The library may have business information in directories such as the UK Kompass Register.

Try to find out the answer to the following questions:

what do they do/make/sell?

who are their customers?
what sort of organisation are they? financial information – turnover, profits etc.

what exactly will the job involve?

what sort of person do you think they want?

how can you best fit your skills to match the job?

Planning for the interview

Then think about the interview itself: Who will be interviewing?

: Image by frozenchipmunk via Flickr

If it is your prospective manager, the interview may be more detailed. If the Personnel Manager is interviewing, it may be less direct or detailed, but could still be testing.

Will there be a test to take?

Find out before the interview and ask for an example of the things you’ll be asked to do. If you have a disability, contact the employer prior to the interview if you require any particular arrangements.

Check the day before to ensure details have been noted prior to your arrival. Plan your journey – Consider a “dummy run” before the day of the interview or check how long the journey will take. If necessary ask the Employer for directions, bus routes or details of car parking.

Plan an alternative means of getting there and be prepared for the unexpected. If you have a disability, check there are no obstacles which could cause you problems or delays.

Think about what you will wear - This may depend upon the sort of work you will be doing: Give yourself plenty of time to decide what to wear and get the clothes ready the day before.

You don’t have to buy a new outfit! Aim for neat, tidy, clean and uncluttered appearance. If you look good it will help you feel good!

Gather together the written information you will need at the interview CV, references, certificates, portfolio or examples of your work (if requested by the Employer).

Re -read the job advert to refresh your memory – make sure you haven’t missed something. And finally try to get a good night’s sleep!

The day of your interview

Before Leaving Give yourself plenty of time to get ready

Make sure you’ve got all relevant paperwork, e.g. CVs, invitation letter

If you are unavoidably delayed, telephone early to explain, apologise and try to get another appointment. On arrival aim to arrive about 10 minutes before the interview time.

Give your name to the receptionist or whoever is there to greet you. Try to relax and keep calm. Chat to the receptionist or whoever greets you, before going into the interview. This will ensure that the first thing you say isn’t croaked out because you haven’t spoken to anyone for oven an hour!

Your interview

First, accept that the symptoms of nerves – a fast heartbeat, clammy hands and butterflies in the stomach – are natural.

These are your body’s natural way of meeting a challenge and in small doses can give you the ‘oomph’ to make a good impression. You will make an impression in the first few minutes. It takes this time for people to assess someone and store this information. Once an impression has been formed, it’s seldom changed. It’s important to make first impression work for you.

Nervous tension may make your voice sound shaky. Practice deep slow breathing before you get to the interview. This will slow down your heart rate and help you avoid taking quick, shallow breaths.

Here are some handy interview tips which many find helps them:

Do:

enter the room confidently shake hands firmly -
and introduce yourself be polite and friendly -
look the interviewer straight in the eye as soon as you enter the room look interested -
ask questions as well as answering answer questions as fully as you can -
avoid yes and no answers provide examples to prove your achievements
tell the truth ask if you don’t understand a question
speak clearly sell yourself -
get your good points across
be positive give a friendly smile (if in doubt don’t – it is better to look serious than insincere)

Don’t:

sit until invited fidget and slouch in the chair
swear (even mildly)
criticise former employers
interrupt
draw attention to your weaknesses
go over the top -stay calm and stick to the facts

Dealing with the unexpected

The following situations can cause problems but being prepared may help you deal with them if they arise.

The unprepared interviewer

Not all employers have had training or are experienced in interviewing people. They could be just as nervous as you are about the situation. You might find yourself being talked at and given little opportunity to sell yourself. This may mean waiting for a gap in the conversation and taking the lead during the interview (but not taking over!)

Delays and interruption

Don’t become impatient if the Employer keeps you waiting. They may have good reasons for this, so try to keep calm.

If the interviewer is interrupted – for instanced by a Telephone call – offer to leave the room.

Uncomfortable surroundings

If you find yourself being interviewed in unsuitable surroundings such as a busy public area, or noisy part of a factory – again, keep calm and try to do your best.

You could ask the Employer if you could go elsewhere but you will have to use your own judgement as to whether this request would be acceptable.

After the interview

While it is still fresh in your mind, think about how the interview went:

what went well?
what went badly?
were there any questions you found difficult and why?

Use a checklist to help you identify areas for improvement.

Did you:

arrive on time?
dress appropriately?
greet the interviewer politely?
sit well and avoid fidgeting? answer the questions fully enough?
sell myself – stress why I was the best person for the job?
describe my previous duties well? look at the interviewer and smile occasionally?
thank the interviewer for taking the time to see me?

Try to learn as much as you can from each interview.

Aim to become more prepared and confident in the future by looking for areas to improve and developing your stronger areas of performance. In this way you will increase your chance of getting that job.

Good luck.

If you have an upcoming interview, share with us your strategy for getting the job you want – just leave a comment

Lynn

PS Learn more about how to make yourself irresistible to employers. My next blog will be about how to be a STAR at interviews and questions that might be asked!

Filed Under: Lynn Tulip // Tagged: Add new tag, Business, CV, Interview, Interview Advice, jobsearch